Beverage Bottle With Gripping Feature

ABSTRACT

A container is provided with integral gripping features. The gripping features are preferably provided in two opposing groups located on opposite sides of the mid-section of the container. The gripping features include a plurality of finger grips that are adapted to conform to the placement of the thumb and fingers when grasping the container. The finger grips are elliptical shaped cavities, and ridges extend between each of the adjacent finger grips.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beverage container with integral features helping a user to grasp the container, and more particularly, to a container with integral gripping features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many types of beverage containers that are especially adapted in shape and size to hold a particular type of beverage. Two of the most common types of beverage containers include the cylindrical shaped aluminum can, and the traditional beverage bottle having an elongated neck and a substantially cylindrical body. Over the years, these two types of beverage containers continue to dominate the commercial market, and there have been very few changes to these container types in terms of basic shape and size.

The twelve ounce container continues to be the most commonly sold beverage size both in bottles and cans. Recently, there has been some departure in the twelve ounce container size. For both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, there are an increasing number of beverages sold in containers that are both smaller and larger than the traditional twelve ounce container.

For the larger size containers such as sixteen and twenty ounce containers, one disadvantage is that the size of the container often makes it more difficult for a consumer to grasp the container. Making the beverage container larger in size to accommodate the greater amount of beverage causes the overall circumference of the body of the container to become significantly larger, and therefore, more difficult to grasp. Particularly for cold beverages, any condensation that may develop on the container exterior surface makes it even more difficult to grasp the container.

Therefore, with the changing sizes of beverage containers, and particularly for those beverage containers that have a size larger than the traditional twelve ounce container, there is a need to enhance the ability for a consumer to grasp the container. There is also a need to provide this additional gripping capability without substantially altering the basic shape of the container. There is also a need to incorporate this gripping feature without substantially detracting from the overall aesthetic features of the container, as well as ensuring that the container may still receive a label so that the beverage may be identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a beverage container is provided with integral gripping features. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gripping features are provided in the form of finger grips that are formed on opposite sides of the mid-section of the container. The finger grips are elliptical shaped and have a long axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the container. The overall circumference of the mid-section of the bottle is decreased at the location of the finger grips. A ridge or protrusion extends between each pair of adjacent finger grips and thereby prevents the fingers of the hand from slipping between the finger grips. The reduction in the overall circumference of the container along with the specific arrangement of the finger grip structures greatly enhances the ability of a consumer to grasp the container.

Because of the symmetrical arrangement of the opposing finger grips on both sides of the container, along with the uniform elliptical shapes which form the finger grips, a unique exterior appearance is provided having certain aesthetic characteristics. An upper cylindrical part of the mid-section of the container is maintained thereby allowing a label or other markings to be applied to the container, yet the main portion of the mid-section of the container used for gripping does not overlap or interfere with the upper cylindrical part.

These and other features of the present invention shall become apparent from a review of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container of the present invention incorporating the integral gripping features;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the container;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the container taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, illustrating the opposing nature of the two groups of gripping features; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the fingers and thumb of a consumer grasping the container with the fingers and thumb located over respective finger grips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the container 10 of the present invention. The container is generally characterized as having a neck 12, a body 14 with an upper cylindrical part 16, a base 18, and a mid-section 20. The container is defined as also having a longitudinal axis A-A. The upper cylindrical part 16 may be used to receive a label or other indicia used to mark the contents of the container.

The mid-section 20 includes the gripping features 24. As best seen in FIG. 3, there are two opposing groups of gripping features 24. The gripping features are formed on opposite sides of the container, and each gripping feature group contains three finger grips 26. As shown, the finger grips are preferably elliptical shaped cavities having a longitudinal axis that extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and that extend partially around the circumference of the container. The finger grips also have a curvature that generally follows the general cylindrical shape of the bottle. The circumference of the container is reduced at the location of the finger grips. The middle finger grip 26 is slightly larger as compared to the upper and lower finger grips. As best seen in FIG. 3, a ridge 28 separates pairs of adjacent finger grips 26. Finger grip borders 30 surround each of the respective finger grips 26. Additionally, elliptical boundaries 22 surround each of the group of three finger grips 24. The elliptical boundary may be further separated or delineated as including an inner ring and an outer ring, as shown. As shown, the mid-section 20 has a slight hourglass configuration wherein the circumference of the mid-section progressively narrows towards the finger grips 26. At the location of the ridges, the circumference of the container is slightly less than the circumference near the base 18 and at the upper cylindrical part 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fingers F of the hand easily fit within one group of the finger grips, while the thumb T conveniently fits in one of the finger grips of the opposing group. Both the location of the thumb and the fingers may be adjusted in the finger grips 26 to best accommodate gripping by the consumer.

The gripping features of the present invention are particularly suited for plastic bottles wherein the gripping features may be created within a molding operation. Depending upon the size of the container, the mid section, as well as the size and configuration of the gripping features may be adjusted to allow the container to be easily gripped by the consumer.

The location and presentation of the gripping features adds some ornamentality to the container, thereby not detracting from the overall presentation of the container. The unique combination of elliptical shapes incorporated in the finger grips 26, grip borders 30 and boundaries 22 provide both functionality and an aesthetic presentation of shapes.

While the present invention has been described with respect to one preferred embodiment, it shall be understood that various other changes and modification to the invention can be made within the spirit and scope of the claims amended hereto. 

1. A container comprising: a neck; a body disposed below the neck, said body comprising an upper cylindrical part and a mid-section disposed below the upper cylindrical part; two groups of gripping features formed on opposite sides of the mid-section, said gripping features including a plurality of finger grips defined by elliptical shaped cavities, and a ridge extending between each pair of adjacent finger grips, said ridges protruding outward from an exterior surface of the container, and said finger grips extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the container and around a circumference of the container.
 2. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each of said groups of gripping features comprise at least two finger grips.
 3. A container, as claimed in claim 1, further including: an elliptical shaped boundary surrounding each of said groups of gripping features, said elliptical shaped boundary having a longitudinal axis extending along said longitudinal axis of the container.
 4. A container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said mid-section has an hourglass configuration and wherein the circumference of the container narrows towards said finger grips.
 5. A container, as claimed in claim 1, further including: finger grip borders surrounding corresponding finger grips.
 6. A container comprising: a neck; a body disposed below the neck, said body comprising an upper cylindrical part and a mid-section disposed below the upper cylindrical part; two groups of means for gripping formed on opposite sides of the mid-section, said means for gripping including a plurality of finger grips defined by elliptical shaped cavities, and a ridge extending between each pair of adjacent finger grips, said ridges extending away from an exterior surface of the container, and said finger grips extending substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of the container and around a circumference of the container.
 7. A container, as claimed in claim 6, wherein: each of said group of means for gripping comprise at least two finger grips.
 8. A container, as claimed in claim 6, further including: an elliptical shaped boundary surrounding each of said groups of means for gripping, said elliptical shaped boundary having a longitudinal axis extending along said longitudinal axis of the container.
 9. A container, as claimed in claim 6, wherein: said mid-section has an hourglass configuration and wherein the circumference of the container narrows towards said finger grips.
 10. A container, as claimed in claim 6, further including: finger grip borders surrounding corresponding finger grips. 